¹National Water Research Institute, Environment Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON, L7R 4A6, Canada
²U.S. Geological Survey, Great Lakes Science Center, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105
³Department of Fisheries and Oceans, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON, L7R 4A6, Canada

Abstract

  Coastal wetlands play a pivotal role in the Great Lakes ecosystem. As buffer zones between the land and open waters of the Great Lakes, they perform a variety of essential functions providing both direct and indirect anthropogenic benefits. Geology, morphology and climate are the dominant variables that influence Laurentian Great Lakes wetland development. However, anthropogenic factors are the major contributors to alteration of natural wetland processes. This paper provides an overview of natural and anthropogenic factors important in Great Lakes coastal wetland development and provides statistical information describing the Great Lakes Basin. A brief description of wetlands classification and research issues is also presented.